Richard Blackwell (August 29, 1922 – October 19, 2008) was an American fashioncritic, journalist, television and radio personality, artist, former child actor and former fashion designer, sometimes known just as Mr. Blackwell. He was the creator of the "Ten Worst Dressed Women List", an annual awards presentation he unveiled in January of each year. He published the "Fabulous Fashion Independents" list and an annual Academy Awards fashion review, both of which receive somewhat less media attention. His longtime companion, former Beverly Hillshairdresser Robert Spencer, managed him. He wrote two books, Mr. Blackwell: 30 Years of Fashion Fiascos and an autobiography, From Rags to Bitches.[1][2]

Biography

Early years

Blackwell was born Richard Sylvan Selzer and raised in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. He was of Jewish descent and grew up in the tenements that housed the “working-poor” immigrant families of the early 20th century.[3] As a child, he claimed he was severely beaten by his stepfather, often resorting to sleeping in the alley beneath his fire escape with a broken bottle he used for protection rather than face further abuse. He only completed the third grade of elementary school.[4] When he was 11, he was the victim of rape by an older man while attending a boys’ camp.[5] He also worked as a gay prostitute in his early days.[6]

Career

Acting

He began acting in theater in his teens, appearing in the original 1935 Broadway production of Sidney Kingsley’s Dead End. After relocating to the West Coast in the 1930s (where he went to school with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, among others) he adopted the name “Dick Ellis” and was signed by the studios to play small parts in the motion picture industry.[3] Between acting assignments, he worked as a messenger at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, California. Howard Hughes changed his name to Richard Blackwell when he signed him to RKO.[7] He returned to Broadway in 1944 for Catherine Was Great, which starred Mae West, but eventually left acting for a short stint as a Hollywood agent. He discovered a talent for design while making his client’s stage costumes.[8]

Fashion designer

The name "Mr. Blackwell" came in the late-1950s when he launched his clothing line. As with Valentino, Versace and later Richard Tyler, he and his line became synonymous. He was an important designer and during the 1960s he became the first in history to present his line on a television broadcast, and was the first to make his line available for plus-size women.[9] His designer dresses sold for between $800 to $1,000 and were very successful.[3] During the nearly two decade existence of the "House of Blackwell”, he was designer to Yvonne DeCarlo, Jayne Mansfield, Dorothy Lamour, Jane Russell and California first lady Nancy Reagan.[10] At the height of his prominence, he openly declared his disdain for Women's Wear Daily and its publisher, John Fairchild.[11] During the 1980s, the emerging drift toward casual wear brought an end to The House of Blackwell.[12]

Fashion critic

In his beginning years as a designer he was asked to do a one-time article for American Weekly magazine of the “10 Best and Worst Dressed” people and developed the franchise from it.[8] Although best known for his “Worst Dressed“ list, he maintained a successful career as a fashion journalist. He was syndicated in The Globe tabloid and wrote features in newspapers and lifestyle magazines.[13] His "Fabulous Fashion Independents" often featured celebrities whom in prior years have been listed in his Ten Worst Dressed.[14]

Worst-dressed lists

The first “Ten Worst Dressed Women” list premiered in 1960, to moderate media success, but as the House of Blackwell became more successful, the list took off.[15] By its third year every television and radio network and virtually all news services worldwide began to cover it. Forty-seven years after first release, Blackwell annually spent a week after its publication on telephone interviews to fashion magazines, radio programs and news networks.[16] The list is a conglomeration of techniques from first letter alliteration: Martha Stewart – "dull, dowdy and devastatingly dreary" and consonant: “fabulous fashion independents”, to free verse: Cher – “A million beads/And one overexposed derriere”, and pun: Queen Elizabeth, “Was she the palace Christmas tree, or just a royal clown?” About Wynona Judd – "She looks like Hulk Hogan in sequins." Often, he simply quipped: Martha Stewart – “Dresses like the centerfold for Farmers' Almanac”, and other times combines forms: Dixie Chicks – “They look like a trio of truck stop fashion tragedies/ trapped in a typhoon”.[17] The list’s popularity has waned in some segments of contemporary culture, many feeling that it is mean-spirited. However, Blackwell has displayed personal missives from many celebrities including Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey and country singer Tanya Tucker expressing their thanks for being selected.[18] Other former list alumni like “Hollywood Beat” editor, Marci Weiner – “Why does Marci Weiner always dress like she’s auditioning for a Fellini movie?” – who was initially angered by her inclusion, now considers it an honor.[19] Still, despite its decline in universal acceptance, it was nonetheless published each year.[20]

The list spawned a parade of imitators from TMZ’s In The Zone: Mr. Blackwell vs. TMZ[21] to the UK’s The Sun newspaper’s Sun Women Online: Celebrity Style Watch[22] and the less known such as “The Catwalk Queen”.[23] Not all are lists, but virtually all include jibes and jabs similar to those that Blackwell first used to capture media attention in the early 1960s. Harry Shearer's Le Show radio program has featured "Blackwell on Blackwell." Roger Stone, himself known for his taste in fashion, has taken up Blackwell's tradition of best and worst dressed lists (albeit with a greater emphasis on the best dressed) since Blackwell's death.[24]

Television and radio

Mr. Blackwell was a pioneer in television fashion and had been a fixture in the medium throughout his career as a designer and critic. Most recently, he appeared as himself on an episode of the ABC daytime soap, Port Charles.[25] He hosted a daily program on Los Angeles' talk radio powerhouse KABC from 1972–74, moving to KIEV 1975–1981.[26]

Personal life

Mr. Blackwell at his home in Hancock Park in March 2008

Blackwell lived in the Hancock Park enclave of Los Angeles with his partner of 60 years, Robert Spencer.[32] In 1964, they rented their home to The Beatles for the English band’s first visit to the city. It was leaked to the media, however, and the group made other arrangements.[33] He was also an artist known for his avant-garde and he published several editions of his work, including his "Mother America" series.[34]

In 2001, Blackwell was diagnosed with Bell's palsy which causes limited to severe paralysis of facial muscles and can affect eyesight as well. if treated in time, it is completely curable; however, if not treated it can have life lasting effects. Blackwell was unable to unveil the 2000 list at a live news conference for the first time in its 40-year history and remained out of the public eye for six months. He came back for the 2001 “Worst Dressed” and returned to a full, normal social life.[35]

Blackwell died in Los Angeles on October 19, 2008 of complications from an intestinal infection.[36]

Honors

In pop culture

In the Seinfeld television series episode (No. 87), “The Chaperone” originally aired on September 22, 1994, the Kramer character becomes a chaperone for a Miss Rhode Island contestant in a national beauty pageant. In an exchange with Kramer (played by Michael Richards), Seinfeld exclaims, “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Blackwell,” as Kramer slides into the room. Kramer responds, “Oh, come on! … You’re pooh-poohing!” to which Seinfeld responds, “Yes, I pooh-pooh.”[38] He was played by Harry Shearer on the May 20, 1995 episode of SCTV’s, The Show Formerly Known as The Martin Short Show.[39] In 2006, CBS picked up an AP story about US figure skater Johnny Weir’s costume at the Olympics in Turin under the Headline: “Figure Skating Gets Ugly: Mr. Blackwell, You’re Wanted At The Olympics”.[40]

The Kiss concept album Music from "The Elder", includes a song about a villain named "Mr. Blackwell". The pre choruses include the refrain, "You're cold and mean, and in between / You're rotten to the core", which seems to describe various celebrities' opinions of the real Blackwell.

In Season 4, Episode 2 of "Frasier" during an exchange between Kelsey Grammar and David Hyde Pierce, Pierce makes a comment about his dwindling financial resources and, after gesturing to his belt, disparagingly whispers "Spanish leather" to evidence his claim. Grammar quickly retorts, "If Mr. Blackwell comes in, I'll create a diversion so you can make a run for it."

The animated television show The Simpsons had a parody version of Mr. Blackwell named "Mr. Boswell." A sample quote from "A Streetcar Named Marge": "Memo to Goldie Hawn: Cheerleading tryouts were 30 years ago – let's grow up, shall we?" Bart Simpson, watching him on TV, chuckled and said, "He's such a bitch!"

In the sitcom Two and a Half Men, Season 5, Episode 14: Winky Dink Time, Charlie Harper exclaims to his nephew Jake, "Please, Mr. Blackwell, I want your opinion!"

In the television drama "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", Matt Albie (played by Matthew Perry) expresses his dismay at his staff's appearance, remarking, "I'm not Blackwell or anything, but holy cow, what the hell are you guys wearing?"